The deep green leaves of this graceful ground cover turn a rich brown during the winter and form a thick mat over a few seasons. The jointed, wine-red stems pick up the accents in the white and crimson flowers which are arranged, lavenderlike, along dense 2 to 3 in. terminal spikes held over a foot above the foliage. As the blooms mature, they darken to a crimson-rose shade, and finally end their days colored a rich rusty brown.

Blooms late May–September.

Size: 18" high x 3' 0" wide.

Hardy to zone 3.

Evolving from a 2002 Belgian breeding program, ‘Fat Domino’s leafy deep green foundation hosts a rubescent surge of long chubby, dark red racemes that don purplish overtones. Dashing, large pointed textural foliage is loosely arranged on numerous staunch, upright jointed stems. With a reliable saucy stance plus sumptuous enduring flowers, this strong growing Persicaria can be positioned right up front and superimposed against white-flowering Verbascum ‘Flush of White’, where it easily turns heads until the season’s end.

Blooms August–October

Size: 3' 0" high x 3' 0" wide.

Zone 5/6.

Legions of slim white fleecy tapers, cresting tall straight stalks, promote cool floral accents for a hot summer day. Enhanced by prominent midribs, wavy margins and cordate bases, the large pointed matte green leaves fashion an attractive upright bushy clump that doesn’t spread and looks classy, especially when coupled with other snowy bloomers such as Astilbe ‘Ellie’ and Aster ‘White Lovely’.

Blooms August – October.

Size: 3-1/2' high x 3' 0" wide.

Zone 5/6.

Hats off to Belgian plant breeder Chris Ghyselen for this relatively new cultivar that expands the species’ floral spectrum with a lovely shade of mauve suffusing its spiky rich pink flowers. The lavish flower display tirelessly persists into early autumn atop a lush brawny ensemble defined by large arrow-shaped green leaves with reddish margins. Tantalizing to pollinators and plant-alcoholics, ‘Amethyst Summer’ can rollick amid other late season bloomers such as Echinops ‘Taplow Blue’ or Aster ‘Violetta’.

Blooms August–October

Size: 3' 0" high x 3' 0" wide.

Zone 5/6.

Touted as the brightest red bloomer of the species, this Chris Ghyselen introduction delivers a vivacious late season display that delights pollinators and floral designers alike. The slim well-endowed red tapers dance above long sturdy stems plus large heavily-veined green leaves, each with a cordate base and pointed tip. Promoting bold verdant texture and undemanding durability, ‘Anne’s Choice’ can be planted in natural-style venues with mates like Rudbeckia ‘Loofahsa Wheaton Gold’ or Sanguisorba ‘Morning Select’.

Blooms late June–October

Size: 2' 0" – 2-1/2' high x 2-1/2' – 3' 0" wide.

Zone 5/6.

Named for its rosy red, Bottlebrush-like flower spikes, which hover above broad green leaves, ‘Atrosanguinea’ combines well with Panicum ‘Prairie Sky’ and Anemone ‘Andrea Atkinson’.

Blooms August–October.

Size: 4' 0" high x 0" & spreading wide.

Zone 5/6.

Raised by Chris Ghyselen, the Belgian who introduced ‘Fat Domino’, this long-flowering must-have Persicaria bears frisky tapers, parading dark-tipped unopened buds and deep dusky-red flowers. The full-toned blooms make a splendid spectacle above energetic flowing mounds of bold lance-shaped leaves that greet autumn with buttery-yellow hues.

Blooms August–October

Size: 3' 0" high x 3' 0" wide.

Zone 5/6.

These lance-shaped gold-infused green leaves promise to perk up the darker recesses of your landscape. Perched over a bright leafy mass, narrow tassel-like spiky flowers create an irresistible splash of vibrant cardinal-red accents.

Blooms August–October

Size: 2-1/2' – 3' 0" high x 0" & spreading wide.

Hardy to zone 4.

A leafy dwarf form of Persicaria amplexicaulis, this low growing cultivar has narrow foliage, crimson tapers and a refined appearance. It makes a perfect understory for late blooming Hydrangea ‘Unique’.

Blooms August?October.

Size: 18" high x 0" & spreading wide.

Zone 5/6.

A mainstay for bridging the gap between summer and fall, this new Belgian introduction imparts vertical late season floral color plus lusty foliage. Green spear-headed leaves compose a big bushy base that propels an irresistible flood of long-lasting, slim 4 in. tall, coral and scarlet-hued tails. Ensconce ‘Orange Field’ in the mixed border, where its exhilarating shades either meld with Salvia confertiflora or bring a lift to white Hydrangeas, Phlox, and blue-flowering Salvias. 

Blooms August–October

Size: 3' 0" high x 3' 0" wide.

Zone 5/6.

Selected by acclaimed Belgian landscape architect and plant breeder Chris Ghyselen, this easy-going robust perennial yields spectacular legions of lithe extralong terminal spires crowded with petite purplish red flowers from early summer ’til frost. The steadfast stalks are clad in large, ripple-edged pointed green leaves that render a substantial, spunky foundation. Well-suited for adequately-moist borders, informal plantings or pondside, either as a stand-alone or en masse, ‘Purple Spears’ injects prismatic accents amongst America natives like Eupatorium ‘Purple Bush’ and Panicum ‘Purple Tears’.

Blooms late June–October

Size: 3-1/2' – 4' 0" high x 3' 0" wide.

Zone 5/6.

In an elegant presentation, ‘Rosea’ offers 4 to 5 in. long flowers—slender and softly pink tapers—borne on tall stems. Its lush, prominently veined foliage turns a vibrant yellow in fall.

Blooms August–October.

Size: 4' 0" high x 0" & spreading wide.

Zone 5/6.

With foliage that’s close to lime-green, and spiky floral tails that approach the scarlet spectrum of rosy pink, this slow spreading perennial is sure to please.

We brought ‘Summer Dance’ home from Piet Oudolf’s Dutch nursery and have come to appreciate its brighter, less rambunctious nature. Swaying to a late summer breeze, our stand lives up to its name while cheerfully commingling amid Anemone ‘Andrea Atkinson’ in the border.

Blooms August–November.

Size: 3' 0" high x 0" & spreading wide.

Zone 5/6.

Zesty rose-madder colors imbue the densely packed rotund tapers of this steadfast Blooms of Bressingham introduction. Perfect for arrangements and championed as richer and fuller than most Persicarias, the vivacious long-blooming flowers prance above a carefree mound of medium green triangular leaves. Intermingle ‘Taurus’ with Eupatorium purpureum, Aster ‘Blue Danube’ and Helianthus ‘Lemon Queen’, and a pleasing late season medley is yours to enjoy. (pp#9682)

Blooms August–October

Size: 3' 0" high x 3' 0" wide.

Zone 5/6.

Above low-lying large Dock-like green leaves with undulating margins, the firm upright branching stems release a fluffy floral pageant of plump, dense-set bright pink pokers. This hearty AGM winner grows as a handsome easy-care ground cover, emphasizing jubilant blooms that are more vividly colored and a bit later plus a tad smaller than its similar sister ‘Superba’. Prized by butterflies and flower arrangers, ‘Hohe Tatra’ effectively knits together shrubs and taller perennials in an adequately moist mixed border.

Blooms May–July

Size: 18" – 2' 0" high x 2' 0" wide.

Hardy to zone 4.

Copious crepe paper-like dark green leaves in curly festoons decorate the base of these showy and long-lasting 4 to 5 in. spikes of dense pale pink flowers. This Persicaria is perfect for cutting and admirable in the border with Digitalis ‘Snow Thimble’, while its clump-forming base can easily be divided every few years.

Blooms April–June

Size: 2' 0" high x 2' 0" wide.

Hardy to zone 4.

Darkly alluring, this sumptuous perennial has plenty of reason to be “big headed,” so we find the epithet microcephala a somewhat dubious observation. Each spring, deep red shoots emerge and lift themselves into a graceful arching form. Velvety leaves of a rich burgundy purple are dramatically marked with lance-shaped mint-green and silver chevrons, and later in the season are topped with delicate white flowers.

Visually arresting anywhere, plant ‘Red Dragon’ in a container or in the garden and let its gemlike elegance be set off by bright-leafed Spiraea ‘Magic Carpet’. It prefers moist soil, but can adapt to drier conditions.(PP# 12,062)

Blooms August–September.

Size: 3' 0" – 4' 0" high x 4' 0" wide.

Hardy to zone 5.